Freedom

As the horse tredged through the snowy plains, leaving the forest and Corcilus, in the distance, Adara felt a sense of dread, Hypnos's rule was absolute, but could she really let Lucas die if told to...

She didn't know, and that's what scared her, so she decided to just hope Lucas passes the test.

It was only when Anox stopped, that Adara realized she had arrived, Lucas was still asleep, a rope of light bonding him to Adara to prevent the maniac from falling off the horse.

Dispelling the magic, Lucas slumped to the side falling into the cold snow, he shot awake.

"Ow! What was that for?" He cried, trying to shake the snow off of him.

"Sorry, Lucas, I must of ran out of mana, I hope you'll forgive me," she winked, a small smirk on her face.

Lucas merely shook his head, he couldn't argue with her like that, she was far to cute to fight with, lookism at its finest...

Hopping off the horse, Adara led it to the stables on the side of the deep black wood mansion. It was empty, of course, Ronan had no way of knowing when they'd arrive.

Lucas, now standing in the cold snow, looked around at the foreboding mansion before him. The deep black wood seemed to absorb the ambient light, giving it an eerie presence against the snowy landscape.

"Where are we, Adara?" he asked, trying to shake off the chill.

"This is the mansion of Lord Hypnos," she replied, leading the horse to the stables. "We've arrived at our destination."

Lucas followed her, still taking in the surroundings. The air felt heavy with a sense of foreboding as they approached the mansion's entrance.

Adara turned to Lucas, her expression serious. "Remember, when we meet Lord Hypnos, speak respectfully and do not defy him. Your life depends on it."

Adara and Lucas entered the side door of the stables, finding themselves in a dimly lit corridor within the mansion. The atmosphere was hushed, with the occasional creaking of the old wooden structure. As they walked, Adara noticed Ronan, a servant of Hypnos, dusting the ceiling.

Ronan looked down from his task, his features expressionless. "For your sakes, I hope Lucas is more interesting than he looks," he remarked dryly, his eyes briefly locking with Adara's.

Adara nodded, understanding the underlying warning in Ronan's words. Lucas, oblivious to the tension, waved casually at Ronan, a big grin on his face.

"Hey there! I'm Lucas, nice to meet you. I hope we'll get along well," he chirped, seemingly unfazed by the ominous atmosphere. Ronan merely continued his dusting, sparing only a brief glance at the newcomer.

Ronan adjusted his glasses and, without a word, gestured for Adara and Lucas to follow him. Silently, he led them through a maze of corridors, each filled with an air of quiet grandeur. The mansion's interior was adorned with dark wood, rich tapestries, and the occasional gleam of silver.

Eventually, they arrived at a set of ornate double doors. Ronan pushed them open, revealing a spacious dining area bathed in a soft, warm glow. At the head of a long table sat Hypnos, looking regal yet relaxed.

His legs were propped up on the table, the bare feet of his vessel unceremoniously moving around on top of eachother, trying to get comfortable.

"Ah, Adara, my faithful servant, and Lucas, the newcomer," Hypnos greeted, his voice echoing in the spacious room. "Please, have a seat. Ronan, make sure they're comfortable."

Ronan pulled out chairs for Adara and Lucas, his movements meticulous. The dining area exuded an air of elegance, with silverware gleaming under the soft candlelight. Hypnos observed them, his eyes betraying a keen interest.

As they settled into their seats, Adara couldn't shake the feeling that beneath Hypnos's calm exterior, there lay a complexity she was only beginning to fathom.

Hypnos gestured towards a small velvet pillow on the table, and Adara retrieved the wooden horn from her bag, placing it gently before him. Hypnos examined it with a focused intensity, his fingers tracing its contours.

"This is the artifact I sought. Excellent work, Adara," Hypnos acknowledged, his tone carrying a hint of approval. "You've proven your loyalty once again."

With a flick of his wrist, Hypnos conjured a peculiar arcane energy, enveloping Adara's wrists. Adara felt a sudden release, a liberation from the magical bonds that had tethered her to Hypnos. The spell enslaving her had been dismantled.

"Congratulations My brilliant chef! You've been promoted from lowly slave to respectable servant!" Laughed the demon of Dreams.

Adara's heart swelled with a mixture of relief and gratitude as the magical binds were lifted. She felt the weight of Hypnos's influence vanish, leaving her with a newfound sense of freedom. For a moment, she simply sat there, absorbing the reality that she was no longer bound by the chains of servitude.

"Thank you, my lord," she said, her voice carrying genuine appreciation. Adara's eyes reflected a blend of gratitude and loyalty. Despite the intricate complexities of Hypnos's character, in this moment, she felt a genuine sense of gratitude for her release.

Hypnos grinned, his pirple eyes gleaming with a touch of amusement. "You've proven your dedication, Adara. Your loyalty will not go unrewarded."

With a wave of his hand, Hypnos conjured a small, shimmering box. He slid it across the table towards Adara. The box seemed to emit a faint glow, and curiosity flickered in her eyes as she opened it.

Inside, she found an intricate amulet, adorned with a delicate chain. Its craftsmanship was exquisite, and the gem embedded in its center sparkled with an otherworldly radiance.

"This is a token of my appreciation. Wear it with pride, Adara," Hypnos said, a rare warmth in his voice. Adara gingerly took the amulet, feeling a surge of gratitude for this unexpected gift.

"Thank you, my lord. I am honored," Adara responded, clasping the amulet around her neck. The weight of the pendant felt reassuring, a tangible symbol of her newfound status.

"Now your first task as servent is to go make me some dinner, having to eat whatever much Ronan produced was not a great experience," Hypnos shivered with great exaggeration

Ronan's usually stoic expression faltered for a moment, a subtle hint of sadness crossing his face at Hypnos's comment about the dinner he had prepared. Despite his best efforts, it seemed that even the meticulous Ronan couldn't meet Hypnos's culinary expectations.

Adara exchanged a concerned glance with Lucas before nodding silently. She understood the weight of her new responsibilities. As she left the dining area to prepare Hypnos's dinner, there was a palpable tension in the air. Adara couldn't shake the feeling that Lucas, in the unpredictable world of Hypnos, might be facing challenges of his own.